2004 Camille Giroud Chambertin Grand Cru

(purchased wine, racked two weeks ago) Good medium red. Aromas of redcurrant, mocha, iron and and spicy, nutty oak. Quite suave and voluminous, with distinctly sauvage flavors of game, gunpowder, coffee and minerals. Not yet pure or organized, but this has all the elements. Expands impressively on the back end, finishing very long, with a broad dusting of tannins. Second sample, from owned vines, also recently racked: Bright, deep ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoky oak and earth. Suave and sappy on entry, then very ripe and silky in the middle, with black raspberry and black cherry flavors and a bit of alcohol showing. Slightly peppery on the aftertaste. I find this a tad less complex than the cuvee from purchased wine, and a bit less long. A blend of the two components seemed to show the best potential, combining the subtle complexity of the first wine with the richness of the second. Sweet, smooth and very nicely balanced. This would make a lovely bottle. Croix was leaning toward blending these two batches of wine, but a final decision had not been made in November.